THE ITALIAN WAR.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 14128, 3 July 1916, Page 5

THE ITALIAN WAR.

COUNT GADORNA'S STRATEGY.

A MIRACLE OF ORGANISATION

NEW ARMY FORMED IN TWELVE

DAYS.

THE. COUNTER-OFFENSIVE.

Milan, July 1

The "Corriere delia Sera" reveals the fact that Count Cadorna formed an entirely new army behind the Italian lines in the Trentino sector, in order to break the Austrian offensive.

Count Cadorna anticipated, an Austrian attack, but could not believe that the enemy would1 commit such a colossal blunder, greatly weakening the Russian front.

When the genera loffensive commenced, Count Cadorna judged its extent and chose the line to which he could fall back with the minimum

losses

He addressed the troops, saying:— "Remember it is here that you must defend the Fatherland's soil and the honour of the army. These positions must be defended to the death."

Count Cadorna then conceived' the idea of forming a new army. Six hours later troops from all parts of the.front began to march to a given point. The railways worked splendidly, surpassing their estimated potentiality by twentyfive per cent.

Half a million men, 100,000 horses, and 15,,000 carts were transported wit'i lightning rapidity towards the Vicenza Plain, and the army was ready for battle within twelve days.

In the meantime the defensive organisations had been completed, and the Austrians were definitely checked.

Count Cardorna on June 2nd gave the new army the order for the coun-ter-offensive. Roads, bridges, and light railways had been specially built, and an artificial lake constructed as a watering place for the troops.